Pollster Frank Luntz criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’ messaging during her interview and economic speech on Thursday.
Appearing on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Luntz responded to a clip of Harris’ interview with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle, where the vice president repeatedly said wealthy Americans and corporations need to “pay their fair share” of taxes. Luntz argued that voters are tired of hearing that phrase and want specific policy details instead.
‘The Public Demands A Detailed Plan’: Frank Luntz Torpedoes Harris’ Rhetoric In MSNBC Interview, Economic Speech https://t.co/vWVMYRH4Dr via @FrankLuntz yes he’s gay but he’s saying good shit
— Buddie Boy (@BuddieB32609) September 26, 2024
“Some of what she has said in the last few weeks are exactly what voters want to hear. That is not. ‘Pay their fair share.’ We’ve heard it now for how many years, 30, maybe 40? What exactly is fair share? … And the issue for that is it’s a sound bite, it’s a slogan,” Luntz said. “The public demands a detailed plan of action and they’re not getting it from her … She’s addressing housing, she’s addressing health care, she’s addressing food and fuel, so she’s doing the policy.”
Luntz also critiqued Harris’ economic speech in Pittsburgh, where she promised to be “pragmatic,” suggesting that “pragmatic” sounds more politically calculated, whereas the public wants straightforward explanations of how tax increases will affect them. “What the public is asking for is, ‘If you’re going to raise taxes, tell us where it’s going to come, tell us the impact,’” Luntz noted.
Though Luntz gave Harris credit for being “focused on the future” and contrasted her with former President Donald Trump, who he said is “focused on the past,” he pointed out that Harris only mentioned “good union jobs” rather than jobs for all Americans. “For her, at this close to the election, the focus on the specific group, is not helpful of when the economy affects everyone,” Luntz said.
BREAKING: Prominent Anti-Trumper Frank Luntz STUNS CNN panel after telling them that Trump is doing better with union members than any Republican in decades
"In my focus groups, union members say union leaders, "DON'T SPEAK FOR ME"
pic.twitter.com/gtueplsPDT— George (@BehizyTweets) August 14, 2024
Luntz also emphasized that Harris’ rhetoric felt scripted, noting, “If you repeat yourself three times, which is what she did, then you know it’s a line. Then you know it’s not something that she really feels.”
Marc Lotter on CNN boom 💥 Tells it like it is ! Harris has laid out nothing on policy!!! pic.twitter.com/nysXgh6zq9
— KellyCurrie45 (@KaCurrie_45) September 25, 2024
In response to her interview with Harris, Ruhle defended the vice president for not providing a clear answer on tariffs.
